BROOKLYN Faced with budget cuts, many schools have to make the difficult decision to eliminate after-school programming. The Catalog for Giving, a nonprofit dedicated to transforming the lives of under-privileged New York City children, supports programs, such as Opening Act, that provide students with free after-school programs. These programs enhance lives at no cost to schools.

Suzy Myers, executive director of Opening Act, says, We work in eight public schools, many of which are facing substantial financial pressure and have had to cut almost all of their extracurricular programs. Opening Act provides a free, safe outlet for creative expression and helps students thrive both in and out of the classroom. The catalogs support helps us to offer our services at no charge to schools.

In Brooklyn, Opening Act serves the Cobble Hill School for American Studies, Samuel J. Tilden in East Flatbush, Franklin K. Lane in Cypress Hills and Clara Barton in Prospect Heights.

Other Catalog programs, such as Community Word Project, provide services at minimal cost. Gay Haubner, development director of Community Word Project, says, Community Word Projects arts residencies are led by two professional artists, trained to work with at-risk young people and in collaboration with the classroom teacher. Our residencies incorporate poetry, visual arts, and performance; so even if a school does not have an art or drama teacher, we are able to create a rich learning environment in the classroom that encourages students to take artistic risks.

This Wednesday, The Catalog for Giving will hold its 14th annual Urban Heroes Awards Benefit. ABC 20/20 correspondent Bill Ritter will serve as host. Celebrity Presenters will include Andrew McCarthy, Alex McCord and Simon Van Kempen, stars of Real Housewives of New York City; Ally Sheedy; and Carmen Wong Ulrich, host of CNBCs On the Money.